Every once in a while we all have a day like today. Today was the day I was going to follow the Lake Michigan shore line on the Hart-Montague Trail.
First I would have a big breakfast at the Brandywine. I got in the car and it would not start. The battery was dead. I called the Pontiac dealer and he sent a tow truck. The car was stuck in park and I could not get it out of the garage. The tow truck would need a battery pack to get power to the car so we could at least get it out of park.
While waiting for the tow truck I decided to move Nancy's car out of the way. Nancy's car would not start its battery was also dead.
The tow truck people got my car started but I could not drive it because a battery terminal was broken and spewing battery acid all over the engine. They loaded the car and headed for the Pontiac garage.
I decided that while I was waiting I would pedal my retro to the "Village Bike Shop" on the corner of 60th and Kalamazoo. This is an easy 8 mile trip. I would travel on the sidewalks all the way. About 52 Street I encountered construction and had to drive through some loose gravel and sand. The retro was doing quite well until I hit a bad spot and Bob and the retro took a tumble. I brushed myself off and continued on my way. On my way home my brakes seized up. I noted that the brake connection to the back wheel had come off. This had probably caused by tumble.
So I continued back home with no brakes. After a mile my back wheel came loose. Luckily I had a wrench and tightened the wheel.
I pedalled to the dealer picked up my car and left $300. Loaded the bike and got it repaired at the Fulton Street Lawn Mower and Bike Repair shop. Rented a battery charger and got Nancy's car started. Every thing is back to normal.
Tomorrow I will travel the Hart-Montague Trail.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday July 30, 2008
Last night we had an electrical storm blow through. It made a lot of noise but produced little rain. Today started cloudy and very humid. It ended sunny and warm.
After breakfast I packed up the kayak and headed to Evart about 100 miles northeast of GR. Evart is on the upper reaches of the Muskegon River. I thought this stretch of the river would be more primitive than downstream sections. Boy was I disappointed. Both banks of the river had cottages.
All summer I have been looking for bald eagles. Eagles have been seen all over Michigan. Eric, Jennifer and other engineers have seen eagles on various bridge sites. Alas I have not seen 1 eagle. Today I did not even see any deer.
On my way home I purchased a pizza to eat at home. I have some laundry to get done before Nancy gets home.
Tuesday is primary day in Michigan. We have several active races. TJ the Kirkwood's cousin is running for the State House. One of his opponents stopped by the house tonight. His name is Tietsma and his wife is Megan Burns (I think). I wish I had a grammar check.
Tomorrow after I get my oil changed I am heading for Whitehall to ride the Whitehall to Hart Trail. The trail is about 22 miles long. The total trip will be 44 miles (I can still do math). I am taking my road bike.
After breakfast I packed up the kayak and headed to Evart about 100 miles northeast of GR. Evart is on the upper reaches of the Muskegon River. I thought this stretch of the river would be more primitive than downstream sections. Boy was I disappointed. Both banks of the river had cottages.
All summer I have been looking for bald eagles. Eagles have been seen all over Michigan. Eric, Jennifer and other engineers have seen eagles on various bridge sites. Alas I have not seen 1 eagle. Today I did not even see any deer.
On my way home I purchased a pizza to eat at home. I have some laundry to get done before Nancy gets home.
Tuesday is primary day in Michigan. We have several active races. TJ the Kirkwood's cousin is running for the State House. One of his opponents stopped by the house tonight. His name is Tietsma and his wife is Megan Burns (I think). I wish I had a grammar check.
Tomorrow after I get my oil changed I am heading for Whitehall to ride the Whitehall to Hart Trail. The trail is about 22 miles long. The total trip will be 44 miles (I can still do math). I am taking my road bike.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday July 29, 2008
Yes folks another warm sunny day in West Michigan. No alarm clock while Nancy is away. Awoke at 0645 and immediately hopped on the retro and pedalled to the Cheri Inn for breakfast. After breakfast I checked my e-mail and saw that the office needed my opinion on a design problem. I stopped by the office and discussed the problem. They had already reached a decision. The same decision I would have recommended. Who needs us old guys. I feel like John McCain. I think John M appears to most voters as the old generation and they feel it is time to pass the torch to a new generation. I think I also feel this way.
After the office I drove to Rockford and took the retro on the White Pine Trail. Tasha and I had travelled the White Pine to Rockford but had not gone further north. I pedalled north through Cedar Springs and Sand Lake. At Sand Lake the pavement ends and the trail becomes dirt and loose stones. I tried the unimproved trail for about 5 miles. It was very rough but the retro had no problems except it was slow going. The total trip was about 30 miles.
For dinner tonight I returned to the Cajun place in Eastown and had the blackened catfish. Tomorrow I am heading north to Evart, Mi to put the kayak in the upper reaches of the Muskegon River.
Gas prices have dropped to $3.89. Since Nancy has been gone I have not watched the news or TV. Thus I cannot make any sage comments on current events.
Although I did call Nancy and asked about the earth quake in LA. She said that they did not feel the quake. She thinks it is because they (Nancy and Lucas) were in the car. Stephen said they felt the quake in down town LB.
After the office I drove to Rockford and took the retro on the White Pine Trail. Tasha and I had travelled the White Pine to Rockford but had not gone further north. I pedalled north through Cedar Springs and Sand Lake. At Sand Lake the pavement ends and the trail becomes dirt and loose stones. I tried the unimproved trail for about 5 miles. It was very rough but the retro had no problems except it was slow going. The total trip was about 30 miles.
For dinner tonight I returned to the Cajun place in Eastown and had the blackened catfish. Tomorrow I am heading north to Evart, Mi to put the kayak in the upper reaches of the Muskegon River.
Gas prices have dropped to $3.89. Since Nancy has been gone I have not watched the news or TV. Thus I cannot make any sage comments on current events.
Although I did call Nancy and asked about the earth quake in LA. She said that they did not feel the quake. She thinks it is because they (Nancy and Lucas) were in the car. Stephen said they felt the quake in down town LB.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday July 26, 2008
Another sunny warm summer day. I started to ride my retro to Wolfgangs for breakfast when I remembered I had a flat tire. I walked. After breakfast I loaded up the retro and headed to the bike and lawn mower repair shop on Fulton. They replaced the tube. While I was waiting for my bike I noticed Henry Erb of channel 8 leaving the coffee shop. We were very civil to one another. 30 years ago Henry was always on my case regarding the garbage crisis in Kent County. Time heals all wounds.
I loaded up my kayak and headed for the Flat River. I put in on South County Line Road and paddled 2 hours upstream and 1 hour down. The river was very clear and I saw lots of fish, turtles, and water birds. I also saw a muskrat and a raccoon in the middle of the river digging for clams.
After kayaking I decided to tackle the lawn. It took over 3 hours to complete. According to my Men's Health mag I burn 492 calories per hour using a push mower.
Since I burned so many calories I decided to have a beer and burger for dinner. I visited a new pub in Gas Light Village. The pub gets a c-. The food was over priced and the pub was very noisy.
Tomorrow I have to stop by the office to give some advise on a retro project. I think after the office I will try a new bike trail.
I loaded up my kayak and headed for the Flat River. I put in on South County Line Road and paddled 2 hours upstream and 1 hour down. The river was very clear and I saw lots of fish, turtles, and water birds. I also saw a muskrat and a raccoon in the middle of the river digging for clams.
After kayaking I decided to tackle the lawn. It took over 3 hours to complete. According to my Men's Health mag I burn 492 calories per hour using a push mower.
Since I burned so many calories I decided to have a beer and burger for dinner. I visited a new pub in Gas Light Village. The pub gets a c-. The food was over priced and the pub was very noisy.
Tomorrow I have to stop by the office to give some advise on a retro project. I think after the office I will try a new bike trail.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday July 27, 2008
This morning I jumped out of bed and headed to the garage to get my retro and head to the MAC for a swim. The retro had a flat rear tire. A tire that was less than 48 hours old. My flowery comments about the lawnmower and bike repair shop are history. Tomorrow I will have my words with the shop.
The new chemicals used in the pool are great. After 45 minutes of swimming I did not plug up. I swam 1500 yards in 45 minutes. Tasha swam 1 mile (1760 yards) in open water in 40 minutes. I will have to practise more.
Breakfast was a bowl of oatmeal and toast. The Sunday papers were large but had little news of interest.
I took my Sunday nap and then loaded up the kayak and headed for Riverside Park for a short ride. The Sunday evening meal consisted of a peanut butter and honey sandwich and a bowl of Michigan blueberries.
For the next week I will not set the alarm but will rise when my body is ready. No rain is scheduled until late Tuesday. I will try and make the most of the nice summer weather.
The new chemicals used in the pool are great. After 45 minutes of swimming I did not plug up. I swam 1500 yards in 45 minutes. Tasha swam 1 mile (1760 yards) in open water in 40 minutes. I will have to practise more.
Breakfast was a bowl of oatmeal and toast. The Sunday papers were large but had little news of interest.
I took my Sunday nap and then loaded up the kayak and headed for Riverside Park for a short ride. The Sunday evening meal consisted of a peanut butter and honey sandwich and a bowl of Michigan blueberries.
For the next week I will not set the alarm but will rise when my body is ready. No rain is scheduled until late Tuesday. I will try and make the most of the nice summer weather.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday July 26, 2008
A day started foggy and very humid. The sun broke through around 1000. This AM is hoped on my retro and headed to Starbucks for coffee and the paper.
Riding home from Starbucks I noted that my new rear tire was going flat. As soon as I got home I filled the tire with air and hoped the tire would remain inflated during my bike ride.
I drove the South Haven and started on the Kal-Haven trail. The trail is on an old railroad grade and is not paved. It was such a beautiful day that I crossed my fingers and started east towards Kalamazoo. The trail was crowded with bikers. I pedalled 15 miles east and returned without any problems. I saw several turkeys but no deer.
I am now finishing the laundry. For dinner I pedalled to Big Bob's and had a pizza and beer.
Another great summer day.
Riding home from Starbucks I noted that my new rear tire was going flat. As soon as I got home I filled the tire with air and hoped the tire would remain inflated during my bike ride.
I drove the South Haven and started on the Kal-Haven trail. The trail is on an old railroad grade and is not paved. It was such a beautiful day that I crossed my fingers and started east towards Kalamazoo. The trail was crowded with bikers. I pedalled 15 miles east and returned without any problems. I saw several turkeys but no deer.
I am now finishing the laundry. For dinner I pedalled to Big Bob's and had a pizza and beer.
Another great summer day.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday July 25, 2008
Alarm went off at 0400. Nancy has a 0530 flight. Arrive at airport at 0430. I returned home and slept until 0630. I then walked to Wolfgangs for breakfast. I walked home to check my e-mails and plan my day. I decided that while Nancy is gone I will suspend my morning exercises and just plan on biking and kayaking.
At 0830 I walked to the lawn mover and bike repair shop to pick up my retro. The new tires have less rolling resistance and thus give me an easier ride.
I packed up my kayak and headed to Whitehall on the shores of Lake Michigan. I put in on the White River and paddled upstream for 1 1/2 hours. The return trip also took 1 1/2 hours.
After a quick shower I hopped on my retro and headed to the new New Orleans type restaurant next to Wolfgangs. I had the gumbo soup and catfish. It was great. I will watch TV until nine and then head to bed. Tomorrow I am going to South Haven to ride the Kal-Haven bike trail.
At 0830 I walked to the lawn mover and bike repair shop to pick up my retro. The new tires have less rolling resistance and thus give me an easier ride.
I packed up my kayak and headed to Whitehall on the shores of Lake Michigan. I put in on the White River and paddled upstream for 1 1/2 hours. The return trip also took 1 1/2 hours.
After a quick shower I hopped on my retro and headed to the new New Orleans type restaurant next to Wolfgangs. I had the gumbo soup and catfish. It was great. I will watch TV until nine and then head to bed. Tomorrow I am going to South Haven to ride the Kal-Haven bike trail.
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